Quote:Bringing a player to a team means Harbaugh gave Martin a contract, not Baalke.

Do you really believe Baalke would have pursued Martin if Harbaugh hadn't vouched for him? Martin would probably be out of the NFL had Harbaugh not said, "No, Trent, he's good and he's a good kid. Let's bring him in."

 

Quote:How is that better than terminating his contract so they pay him nothing?

That's not how NFL coaching contracts work. They're typically fully-guaranteed, so unless the 49ers were to fire him for cause (violation of his contract), they'd be on the hook for his entire remaining salary if they let him go without another team either assuming the contract or reaching an agreement that frees the 49ers of future obligations to him.

 

Quote:Now Rex Ryan says he knew during the offseason John Idzik already decided to fire him after the 2014 season to get his own coach. Unfortunately I can't find the article about that. Apparently Idzik thought he was able to publicly announce this will be Ryan's last season without letting him know about it. Ryan asked (paraphrase), "You don't think that information will get to me?" in recent publc comments.

 

In Atlanta, I don't see how they can fire Mike Smith. The Falcons have won all four division games, so they currently own the tiebreakers for winning the NFCS.

 

Anyone who thinks Tony Sporano will lose the interim tag and remain head coach can forget it immediately. The Raiders are beyond horrible. He won't even stay as an offensive coordinator.

1. When was this, and do you have a link or any kind of proof that the article came from a reputable source? Genuinely asking on this one because that seems like the type of comment that would have been all over the national wire.

 

2. The Falcons have faded badly the last couple of years. They went a disappointing 4-12 last season, and are currently sitting at 5-7. I agree with you that firing Mike Smith would be a mistake given his performance as recently as 2012 (13-3), but the rumblings that he almost lost his job last year and is coaching for his life this season have been pretty persistent. Winning the NFC South may well be his only chance of staying in Atlanta next year.

 

Also worth noting: per PFT, the Titans GM and coach are safe, but major changes are expected to the roster. Looks like we can scratch Whisenhunt off the "in danger" list, even though I had a hard time believing he was really there in the first place.

---